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Monday, March 15, 2010

Holy Crap.

Buster Olney's Pujols-for-Howard rumor made everybody guano crazy for a few days, but the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Joe Strauss has some relevant information for us Astros fans.

First, we see that the rumor has really pissed off Tony LaRussa which, I think we can all agree, is satisfying.

Second, we see that the Astros are on his list of teams to which he would approve a trade:

Pujols said last month any talks regarding an extension will be placed on hold once the season starts. The narrow window for a deal has led to a widespread belief that the matter will push into next winter. Pujols currently enjoys partial no-trade protection that allows him to specify each November fewer than 10 teams to which he will accept a trade. Pujols cited the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Los Angeles Angels, the Houston Astros and the Florida Marlins as teams on his current list.

Good God...

But let's make a clarifying note: there is no way the Astros could pull this off. Cardinals fans would riot in the streets if they traded Pujols to Houston, and didn't get big-league talent in return. Even if the Astros traded Roy, plus the entire 2008 draft class, they would still have to sign him to that extension - around $300 million. An organization like the Astros, who are trying to contend and rebuild isn't doing both, even if they had the pieces to trade.

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Established in 2008, Astros County is your friendly neighborhood blog & grill. We are the Protectors of the Legacy of Dickie Thon, Defenders of the Honor of J.R. Richard, and Anti-American League. Orlando Palmeiro Was Safe.